Don’t Overlook This

Each mitzvah has its mazal. People spend generously for honors like opening the aron kodesh or being a sandak, which aren’t actual mitzvos but are gestures of love for mitzvos. Ashreihem Yisrael—they are fortunate! 

However, each time one obeys their father or mother, they are performing a mitzvah from the Torah itself. Only fools neglect it.

~ The Pela Yoetz

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Powerful Segula

There is a powerful segulah to remove all hardships: a person should internalize that Hashem is the true G-d, and there is no other force in the world… When one focuses solely on Hashem, without giving value to any other power, Hashem will help him, and no harm can come to him.

~ R’ Chaim Voloziner zt’l in Nefesh HaChaim (3:12)

Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments

Full Circle

The Torah tells us that Yaakov Avinu prepared tasty food “ויבא לאביו…” (“and brought it to his father,” Bereishis 27:31). 

The two words ויבא – אביו have the same letters, only in the opposite order.

This hints that if you will honor your parents, your children will honor you back. Your good deeds will be returned to you.

~ R’ Elimelech Biderman

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Welcoming Guests

Hachnasat Orchim (welcoming guests) is even greater than arriving early at the Beit Midrash to study Torah and receive the Shechinah.

~ R’ Nachman of Breslov zt”l

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

The End is Scheduled

Regarding a difficulty in your life, ask yourself if you would be able to bear it more calmly if you knew when it was going to be over.

Now tell yourself, “Hashem has already scheduled the end of this challenge. I may not know the date, but it exists.”

~ R’ David Sutton

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Win!

To win the battle against the yetzer hara, one needs optimism. If he believes he will fail, that will inevitably be the outcome.

Forget past failures. Focus on the present.

Forge ahead, battle the yetzer hara with energy and optimism, and you will win.

~ R’ Elimelech Biderman

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Changing His Mind?

Tefillah doesn’t change Hashem’s mind, rather,

“When one prays, he rises to a higher place, and becomes a new person. And although Hashem decreed on the previous person a certain decree, with tefillah to Hashem…he became a new essence.

It isn’t that Hashem changed his desire, rather on this person who is presently here, the decree was never placed.”

~ The Bnei Yissaschar zt”l

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Segulah for Long Life

Chazal tell us that answering “amen” is mesugal for arichus yamim (longevity), but there are two “amens” that are particularly conducive for long life.

They are the “amen” answered after המחזיר שכינתו לציון and the “amen” after הפורס סוכת שלום (said in Maariv of Shabbos and Yom Tov).

~ R’ Liber HaGadol of Berditchev zt”l

I will just add that the Satan must know this, as it seems people often skip answering amen to these two brachos, rushing into “Modim” or “V’shamru.” Be mindful and careful not to miss them.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Shidduch Dating

Someone once asked the Gaon of Tchebin zt’l what qualities he should look for in a shidduch

The Gaon replied: “Three things:

  1. Good middos.
  2. Good middos.
  3. Good middos.”
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Just Passing By

A wealthy man visited the Chofetz Chaim zt’l and expressed his surprise at how poorly furnished the Chofetz Chaim’s home was.

The Chofetz Chaim responded, “And where is your furniture? All I see is your horse and wagon.”

The wealthy man replied, “I am just passing by. My furniture is at home.”

The Chofetz Chaim exclaimed, “I too, am just passing by because this world is merely a passageway to Olam HaBa.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment